November 14 2009
Sports Bites

Memphis owner Michael Heisley says he is not sure of what Allen Iverson's future plans are, though he hopes Iverson returns to the Grizzlies soon. Heisley granted the 10-time all-star permission Saturday for an indefinite leave to deal with a personal matter. The Commercial Appeal newspaper reported Monday that Iverson is contemplating retirement. "I'm not in Allen's head. I don't know what he's thinking," Heisley told The Associated Press on Monday.

Arsene Wenger hopes Arsenal will put their traditional November niggle behind them as they look to catch Chelsea at the top of the league. The second-placed Gunners are five points behind the Blues at the summit with a game in hand and face their London rivals at the end of this month. But Wenger is acutely aware November has been a frustrating time during his tenure, which began in September 1996. Arsenal have started the month well with 4-1 wins - over AZ Alkmaar and Wolves - but the 60-year-old manager knows further tests await in what is often a difficult period for the Gunners, who are currently unbeaten in 13 games in all competitions.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is being treated for a rare form of leukemia, and the basketball great said his prognosis is encouraging. The NBA's all-time leading scorer was diagnosed last December with chronic myeloid leukemia, he told The Associated Press on Monday. The 62-year-old Abdul-Jabbar said his doctor didn't give any guarantees, but informed him: "You have a very good chance to live your life out and not have to make any drastic changes to your lifestyle."

U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro ended Marat Safin's career Wednesday, defeating the two-time Grand Slam title winner 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 in the second round of the Paris Masters. The 29-year-old Safin, a three-time Paris Masters champion, played his last match in style, showing the Parisian crowd some terrific baseline winners, a fine touch at the net and strong first serves. But the Russian also made some horrendous unforced errors and threw his racket.